Placer County Provides Guidelines for Fire-Debris Clean-Up

Published on Sep 6, 2008 - 9:22:08 AM

By: Placer County

Sept. 2, 2008 - The Placer County Health and Human Services Department issued guidelines Tuesday to assist residents cleaning up properties damaged during the Gladding Fire in rural Placer County.

The fire broke out at 12:39 p.m. Monday northeast of Lincoln. By 9 a.m. Tuesday, it had burned about 500 acres and destroyed three residences and 10 outbuildings.

The attached fire-debris clean-up guidelines cover such topics as how to control dust from ash and contaminated debris, how to handle and transport hazardous household wastes and how to recycle appliance and vehicle parts.

"We know residents are anxious to clean up their properties, and we want to help by letting them know how to do it safely," said Placer County Director of Environmental Health Jill Pahl. "We urge residents to follow our guidelines because they are essential to protecting the public health during the clean-up effort."

At 9 a.m. Tuesday, Cal Fire announced the Gladding Fire was 80 percent contained. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Fire Debris Clean Up Guidance:

Dust Control:

Ash and contaminated debris should be contained and disposed in a timely and safe manner to minimize health hazards of the people completing the clean up and the surrounding residents. Adequate dust management is essential to protect public health. Ash and ash-covered materials should be wetted to limit the potential exposure prior to containment and removal. Air monitoring will not be required per the Air Pollution Control District (APCD). Due to potential mixing and compaction, removal of an additional 6 to 12 inches of dirt is recommended. No soil sampling is required.

For assistance with questions concerning dust management, contact Ann Hobbs at 530-745-2327 at the Placer County Air Pollution Control District. Attached are APCD information sheets on Fugitive Dust and Straw Blowing.

Household Hazardous/Electronic Waste:

Prior to and during clean up efforts, workers must evaluate readily identifiable household hazardous waste (including electrical wastes) and segregate and manage separately from the ash and debris. Attached are two fact sheets on "Emergency Guidance on the Angora Wildfire #1" and "Emergency Guidance on the Angora Wildfire #2" which have valuable information for handling ash, debris and other hazardous materials from burned structures.

Waste can be delivered to the Western Placer Waste Management Authority (WPWMA) facility located at 3033 Fiddyment Road at the corner of Athens Avenue between Roseville and Lincoln. The entrance is on Athens. Normal operating hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends. Household hazardous wastes, electronic wastes and debris wastes can be delivered to WPWMA's facility. For information on pricing and limitations on the acceptance of household hazardous wastes, please contact the WPWMA at (916) 543-3960.

Waste Transport:

In order to protect public health and the environment, all loads shall be wetted down before leaving the property. All loads shall be covered with tarps; this includes metal debris. Concrete loads are exempt from tarps provided the loads are wetted prior to leaving. If concrete loads generate dust, then the loads must wetted and tarped. Direct haul of the materials to an active landfill is requested.

Please notify the site attendant if you have fire debris prior to dumping the material. Keep your hazardous waste and electronic waste separate from other debris. Debris will go directly to the landfill for disposal, while hazardous and electronic wastes must be delivered elsewhere in the WPWMA facility.

Appliance and Vehicle Recycling:

Removal and disposal of some material may require special handling such as various automobile (oil, antifreeze, etc.) or appliance (Freon) components. Vehicles and appliances that were completely consumed by the fire will probably not contain any of the above items. The vehicles and appliances will be treated as metal debris and removed accordingly. All appliances and vehicles shall be securely covered (i.e. tarped or plastic wrapped) prior to and during transport.

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